Bruno Saby

INTRODUCTION

Bruno Saby is a French specialist rally driver who debuted his career in 1967. Best known for his performances in rallycross, Saby has also gained prominence after joining the Peugeot Talbot Sport team in 1985 to drive their 205 Turbo 16 Group B supercar. During the era, Saby would clinch the win at the infamous 1986 Tour de Corse: the event where Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto lost their lives – ultimately leading to the ban of Group B.

In 1978, Saby claimed the French Rallycross Championship title driving an Alpine A110 1600. In 1981, Saby became French Rally Champion driving a Renault 5 Turbo.

1985~1986: PEUGEOT

In 1985, Saby won a contract for the whole season with Peugeot to drive their top of the line 205 Turbo 16. Bruno finally got a competitive car to be able to prove that he could compete with the best. He was close to victory in the Tour de Corse, finishing second behind French compatriot Jean Ragnotti.

Saby’s first WRC victory would come one year later at the infamous 1986 Tour de Corse. He started the rally struggling to keep up with Lancia Delta S4 driver Henri Toivonen and quickly fell 90 seconds behind. On the 18th stage of the rally, Saby saw a large cloud of black smoke. He stopped to see what had happened, but by then, he could only witness the burning remains of the Lancia Delta S4 that still contained the dead bodies of Toivonen and co-driver Cresto. The rally continued on the next day. Bruno Saby’s victory at his home event was a sour one.

After the cancellation of Group B, Saby would find success in Group A and in rallycross where most of the Group B cars ended up competing for a few years more…